Trainer Shawn Mathrick is excited about running his fresh stable recruit Corniche in an additional Stakes race.
Having won at Flemington on his third go for Mathrick, the previous Godolphin runner targets Saturday’s Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) in Mornington.
Good form might send Mathrick to Adelaide for the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9.
Following the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) win on March 28, Mathrick eyed the Hareeba Stakes then maybe the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool May 6.
The tight turnaround to The Goodwood three days on creates a tough call for Mathrick.
“I would prefer to go to The Goodwood,” Mathrick said.
“Warrnambool can so tricky. Some just hate it, and you never know until you go there, but I would like to win a Group 1, and he’s definitely got the quality to do that.
“Joliestar won the other day, and she only beat him a length-and-a-bit one day and his wet track form is terrific.”
He has toiled hard to fix the gelding’s nagging issues present when arriving at his barn.
At Cranbourne Training Centre, Corniche trains only after rain falls, plus endless beach workouts.
“I had to get the pain out of his knees, and his feet and he had heart arrythmia but that has all settled down and he seems good,” Mathrick said.
“You never know when those things can flare up again, but he’s been super.
“He worked like Manikato on Tuesday. He’s a weapon.”
Stablemate Unflinching meanwhile heads to Brisbane for Saturday’s Listed Ascot Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm.
After chasing Corniche at Flemington, Mathrick deems the sprinter ideal at 1000m.
“That’s his distance,” Mathrick said.
“His run the other day was good, but Corniche was just too good in the last bit.”
Mathrick noted Unflinching’s travel: overnight to Sydney Tuesday, day at Rosehill, Brisbane Wednesday night.
“It’s worth $92,000 to the winner, so if he wins, I can afford to fly him home if I have to,” Mathrick said.
For the Hareeba Stakes, punters can find sports betting options at leading racing betting markets.